id: mem-02 original_id: P.UNS.MEM.02 level: P impact: CRITICAL

Do Not Modify Memory Variables of Other Processes or Dynamic Libraries

Summary

Do not directly manipulate memory belonging to other processes or dynamically loaded libraries. Use proper IPC or FFI mechanisms.

Rationale

Other processes have separate address spaces; direct access is impossible on modern OSes
Shared memory requires explicit setup and synchronization
Dynamic library memory has ownership rules that must be respected
Violating these causes undefined behavior or security vulnerabilities

Bad Example

// DON'T: Try to access another process's memory directly
fn bad_cross_process(ptr: *mut i32) {
    // This pointer from another process is meaningless in our address space
    unsafe { *ptr = 42; }  // Undefined behavior or crash
}

// DON'T: Modify library internals
extern "C" {
    static mut LIBRARY_INTERNAL: i32;
}

fn bad_library_access() {
    // Modifying library internals breaks encapsulation
    unsafe { LIBRARY_INTERNAL = 100; }  // May corrupt library state
}

Good Example

// DO: Use proper IPC for cross-process communication
use std::io::{Read, Write};
use std::os::unix::net::UnixStream;

fn ipc_communication() -> std::io::Result<()> {
    let mut stream = UnixStream::connect("/tmp/socket")?;
    stream.write_all(b"message")?;
    Ok(())
}

// DO: Use shared memory with proper synchronization
#[cfg(unix)]
fn shared_memory_example() {
    use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicI32, Ordering};

    // Properly set up shared memory region
    // let shm = mmap shared memory...

    // Use atomic operations for synchronization
    let shared: &AtomicI32 = /* ... */;
    shared.store(42, Ordering::Release);
}

// DO: Use proper FFI for library interaction
mod ffi {
    extern "C" {
        pub fn library_set_value(value: i32);
        pub fn library_get_value() -> i32;
    }
}

fn proper_library_access() {
    unsafe {
        ffi::library_set_value(42);
        let value = ffi::library_get_value();
    }
}

// DO: Use Rust's libloading for dynamic libraries
fn dynamic_library() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
    let lib = unsafe { libloading::Library::new("mylib.so")? };
    let func: libloading::Symbol<extern "C" fn(i32) -> i32> =
        unsafe { lib.get(b"my_function")? };
    let result = func(42);
    Ok(())
}

Memory Ownership Rules

Memory Type	Owner	Safe Access
Stack variables	Current function	Direct
Heap (Box, Vec)	Rust allocator	Through smart pointers
Static	Program	With proper synchronization
Shared memory	Multiple processes	Atomic ops, mutexes
Library memory	Library	Through library API
FFI-allocated	C allocator	Through C free functions